Is there a way to interface the BIII with HDMI signals? Is there any module anywhere that I can adapt?
Two DACs!!
Can you confirm if the changes between using S/PDIF in and I2C 8-channel in require a hardware reconfiguration, a software reconfiguration, or both?
I'll be contacting ESS to obtain the data sheet for the ES9018 chip to find out more as well.
Just about any modern HT receiver or BDP can be hacked to do what you want. There are some products by Gefen and others that could also be hacked.
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I thought I had. 🙂
Yes the output stages would need to be wired very differently between 8 channel and stereo.
Firmware wise nothing really *has to* change, but it really depends on what you want to do.
Hi Takaji
Can you be so kind to give here a message when/if you can get (have) that datasheet of ESS9018. I understood that is very difficult to obtain it...
Just contact ESS's local distributor. It is not hard to get. Getting it from someone else who has signed an NDA is asking them to violate the NDA they signed.
Thanks for the info. I am assuming that in the BIII guide there will be information about configuring the DAC for either stereo or multi-channel inputs/outputs? What needs to change specifically in the output stages?
As far as what I want to do, I bought 4x IVY boards, and want to be able to output 8-channel XLR/single-end and 2-channel XLR when using S/PDIF.
You can certainly do that, but if you want to switch back and forth, you will only be using 2 of the 8 dac channels for stereo output.
Understandable, of course. I think for my own personal listening, I will only be using 2 channels. I just want the DAC to have the capability to work with 8 channels for soundart-related work that I do.
Perhaps I should ask LeonvB if his guide will have information on configuration options between 2-channel and 8-channel setup. (I assume so). Are there only jumpers to change?
Configuration is done by joining the DAC outputs together. Ideally (for SQ), this is done with jumpers on the bottom of the board. You could do it off board, say, with relays or switches, but as the lead lengths grow, so does the possibility for problems.
Ok lets give an example 🙂
If you used 4 IVY-III to get 8 channels. That will work great for 8 channel output, but if you use stereo you will end up with 4(L) + 4(r) channels of exactly the same thing and not really get the full dynamic range you would get in true stereo mode. Not a big deal, but maybe not what you want.
So I guess it all depends on your expectations.
If you used 4 IVY-III to get 8 channels. That will work great for 8 channel output, but if you use stereo you will end up with 4(L) + 4(r) channels of exactly the same thing and not really get the full dynamic range you would get in true stereo mode. Not a big deal, but maybe not what you want.
So I guess it all depends on your expectations.
BTW I have edited the IVY-III and Legato 3.1 manuals to show how to configure them for multichannel use.
Configuring the Buffalo III jumpers for mono,stereo,4,8 channels is also covered in the Buffalo III manual.
Configuring the Buffalo III jumpers for mono,stereo,4,8 channels is also covered in the Buffalo III manual.
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Now I understand 😛 So technically I don't need to switch back to stereo when in 8-channel mode, except stereo sound may take a bit of a hit in quality. If I want the full dynamic range then I will need to perform a hardware switch, but I need to keep in mind the short lead lengths to the switch - I think I can do all of this
I'll be looking forward to seeing the BIII manual. Thanks Russ for updating the IVY documentation!
Well there is a bit more too it than that.
If you used 4 IVY-III they well all be configured for multi-channel mode. Which is to say they will have 4 times I/V voltage output as a normal stereo setup.
You can't have 4 IVY channels with their inputs tied together (that would be very bad) which is what would happen if your relays simply did the job of the jumpers.
What you would have to do in a relay setup would be to switch out the 4 multichannel IVY-III altogether and switch in a single stereo IVY-III while at the same time joining the 4 DAC outputs per phase per channel.
This is why I said the best way to do it would be to have two DACs. One dedicated to multichannel and one for stereo.
Cheers!
Russ
Hoof... now I see...
I'll give it some consideration... but really another DAC board is out of my price range for now...
Maybe I'll look into buying a 5th IVY board to be permanently-configured as a stereo output, and see what it takes to do all the required switching on the DAC side. Thanks for all the info!
Edit: Sorry, I don't see anything about configuring the IVY for 2-channel/multi-channel use in the pdf on the TPA website?
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I think doing 2 DACs would be the most sensible option, but not with 5 DAC boards. I'd build a dual mono for personal use, and an 8-channel with only 1 board (or 2) with 4 IVYs for work. That saves quite a bit of money.
Yikes. I did not see any mention of 5 DAC boards. 🙂
I would only suggesting two. 🙂 One for 8 channel and one for Stereo.
I would only suggesting two. 🙂 One for 8 channel and one for Stereo.
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